The Role of Digital Public Infrastructure in Transforming India's Rural Landscape

What is Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Its Significance for India?

Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) encompasses the foundational digital systems that facilitate effective interactions among governments, businesses, and citizens. In India, DPI comprises various platforms designed to enhance efficiency and accessibility, including:

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Seamless digital payments
• DigiLocker: Secure digital document storage
• Aadhaar: Biometric identity verification
• e-Shram: A national database for unorganised workers
• ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce): Democratising e-commerce
• Bharat BillPay, Co-WIN, and ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account): Facilitating digital access to services in health and governance

These tools collectively promote inclusion, transparency, and ease of access to essential public services.

How Do BharatNet and PM-WANI Support DPI Expansion in Rural India?

• BharatNet: The world’s largest rural broadband project, aimed at providing high-speed internet to over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.
• PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface): Enables local entrepreneurs to operate public Wi-Fi hotspots (PDOs), thus offering last-mile internet access.

Together, these initiatives enable access to online banking, education, telemedicine, and e-governance services. They also provide the necessary internet backbone to support DPI services and encourage local entrepreneurship through Wi-Fi-enabled marketplaces and shops.

Understanding the Difference Between BharatNet and PM-WANI

• BharatNet: Supplies the core fiber infrastructure to village-level institutions.
• PM-WANI: Builds on BharatNet by creating last-mile connectivity through wireless public Wi-Fi hotspots operated by local service providers.

What Are PDOs and Their Role in Rural Entrepreneurship?

PDOs (Public Data Offices) are small-scale businesses, such as shopkeepers or local vendors, that provide public Wi-Fi services using PM-WANI. Their contributions include:

• Selling internet services to locals at low cost
• Boosting small businesses by enabling digital transactions
• Serving as hubs for accessing government services, online education, and healthcare

Why is Public Wi-Fi Critical for India's Digital Future?

Mobile broadband often fails to provide consistent and affordable internet in remote areas due to:

• Uneven terrain
• Low tower density
• High device and data costs

Public Wi-Fi through PM-WANI allows shared access at lower costs and higher stability, thereby expanding the reach of DPI services without reliance on mobile data.

Challenges in Implementing BharatNet and PM-WANI

• Technical issues: fibre cuts, power outages, and latency
• Market access: poor viability in sparsely populated regions
• Lack of digital awareness and training
• Coordination across departments and private providers

Nonetheless, effective public-private partnerships, regulatory support, and community engagement are gradually addressing these challenges.

Ensuring Inclusivity and Resilience in DPI

India is investing in:

• Cloud-based backend networks to prevent failures from local disasters
• Open protocols and APIs to ensure interoperability
• Policy initiatives for subsidised data, infrastructure-sharing, and telecom innovation

Visible Benefits from the BharatNet-PM-WANI Model

• Entrepreneurs offering recharge services, e-ticketing, and online banking
• Wi-Fi kiosks in remote areas facilitating access to online exams and telemedicine
• Schools and health centres connected for real-time services
• A growing ecosystem of public-private partnerships in digital delivery

Alignment of This Model with India’s Future Growth Strategy

By strengthening DPI through BharatNet and PM-WANI, India is:

• Building an inclusive digital economy
• Creating jobs and supporting MSMEs
• Facilitating effective delivery of government schemes
• Enhancing resilience during crises like pandemics or natural disasters

This approach fortifies India’s global standing as a leader in open digital systems.

Ensuring the Success of DPI in the Next Decade

• Continued investment in infrastructure
• Skilling rural youth in digital literacy
• Affordable devices and broadband plans
• Robust regulation and collaboration among government, private sector, and civil society
• Community-led digital awareness campaigns